Disposable container



P 7, 1968 H. J. WANDERER 3,401,862

DISPOSABLE CONTAINER Original Filed May 8, 1964 a Sheets-Sheet 1INVENTOR. Her n J Wanda r P 1968 H. J. WANDE RER 3,401,862

DISPOSABLE CONTAINER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed May 8, 1964INVENTOR. Hererf J Wander r His A/r'y Sept. 1968 H. J. WANDERER3,401,862

I DISPOSABLE CONTAINER Original Filed May s, 196-. 5 Sheets-Sheet 3mvsmozz Herberf J Wanderer United States Patent Oflice Patented Sept.17, 1968 3,4;01,862 DISlOSABLE CONTAINER Herbert J. Wanderer, Elmhurst,IlL, assignor to Illinois Tool Works Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporationof Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 366,081, May 8, 1964,now Patent No. 3,232,512. This application Aug. 3, 1966, Ser. No.579,443

13 Claims. (Cl. 229-15) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A thin wallthermoplastic container for use with a supporting holder, and thecombination thereof, wherein the container and supporting holder areprovided with cooperating means for releasably retaining the containerwithin the supporting holder.

This is a continuation of Ser. No. 366,081 filed May 8, 1964, nowabandoned.

The present invention relates in general to plastic articles formed froma web of thermoplastic material, and more particularly to a plasticdisposable insert cup which is adapted to be inserted and retainedwithin hollow supporting holders of varying configuration.

The present invention is an improvement over the article disclosed andclaimed in my copending application entitled, Stackable Insert ContainerWith Axially Spaced Engaging Surfaces, filed on an even date herewith,with Ser. No. 366,081, now Patent No. 3,232,512.

Conically shaped disposable insert cups made from paper products areused quite extensively in soda fountains and other similarestablishments for beverage, ice cream and other food products. Thesecups will normally be stacked in inverted relationship on a supportingtable or other convenient location, and removed one at a time from thestack. Removal of individual cups from the stack is, in most cases,accomplished by a hollow supporting holder which is inserted axiallyover the uppermost container for gripping a portion of the container soas to secure and support the container therewithin.

As discussed in my above mentioned copending application, pressing thesupporting holder over the uppermost cup in a stack tends to create asituation where it is not always possible to freely separate individualcups. The inherent weakness of paper cups, together with the relativelyrigid column of cups that is created when the supporting holder axiallysqueezes the cups together, decreases the possibility that single cupswill be removed from the stack. The variety of supporting holders nowcommercially available further complicates the situation since while thesupporting holders of one manufacturer may function effectively with thecups he makes, they may not always work with cups produced by acompetitor.

In my copending application, I disclose and claim a novel disposableinsert container or cup which limits the extent of telescopicassociation of like containers to enhance individual containerseparation from a stack, while also permitting the container to bereleasably retained within a plurality of dissimilarly configuredsupporting holders. It has been found however that, while the stackingfeature of the above disclosed container will prevent wedging betweennested containers, air can be entrapped between adjacent containers, andthis tends to hold the containers together when an attempt is made toremove containers one at a time from the stack. The present inventioneliminates this difliculty, and at the same time preserves the stackingand holder engaging features in a disposable insert cup.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adisposable insert cup which is so configured that it assures aircommunication between nested containers to provide individual cupseparation.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a noveldisposable insert cup which, in addition to promoting the introductionof air between adjacently stacked containers, prevents wedgingtherebetween.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of adisposable insert cup or container, which in addition to theaforementioned objects, also promotes gripping engagement with a varietyof supporting holders of dissimilar configurations.

More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anovel disposable container which can be accommodated and securelyretained in a releasable manner within a plurality of dissimilarlyconfigured supporting holders, and which, when nested together withcontainers of like configuration, will facilitate individual cupseparation.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of anovel disposable insert container which will have maximum grippingengagement with a plurality of dissimilarly configured containers, whilealso affording freedom of individual cup separation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a one piecedisposable insert cup which is inherently stronger than prior disposableinsert cups and not subject to attendant leakage.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one form of nestable insert cupconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of another form of nestable insertcup contemplated by the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of an inverted stack of nestableinsert cups each having a shape identical to the form of the cup shownin FIG. 2 of the drawings;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view i1- lustrating thestacking between cups of the FIG. 1 variy;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating thestacking between cups of the FIG. 2 variy;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view further illustratingthe stacking between cups of the FIG. 1 variety;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view, partly insection, of the form of cup shown in FIG. 1 as it is mounted within oneform of supporting holder;

FIG. 8 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the FIG. 1 cupas mounted within another form of supporting holder;

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the FIG. 1 cupas mounted within still another form of supporting holder;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the FIG. 1:cupgas mounted within yet still another form of supporting holder;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view, partly in section, ofthe FIG. 2 cup as mounted within one still further form of supportingholder;

FIG. 12 is a front elevational view of a modified form of disposableinsert cup constructed in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of still another form ofdisposable insert cup contemplated by the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary front elevational view of yet still anotherform of disposable insert cup coming within the purview of the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a fragmentary front elevational view of one still furtherform of novel insert cup contemplated by the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the cup shown in FIG. 15, and taken alongline 1616 thereof.

In the discussion that follows, it Will become apparent that thedisposable insert cup of the present invention can be associated withseveral forms of commercial holders now presently available. It is to beunderstood, however, that the disclosed forms of both the disposableinsert cup and its supporting holder are to be viewed in an illustrativesense only, and are not to be taken as the only forms contemplated bythe present invention.

Although any kind of material may be employed, the disposable insert cupof the present invention is preferably made of plastic, such as a highimpact polystyrene. Such cups have marked advantages over paper cupswhich have been impregnated or coated with wax. Included among theseadvantages is the fact that a plastic container can be molded as aseamless thin walled unit without leakage difficulties as is well knownin the art.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, it will beseen that the form of disposable insert cup identified C1 is providedwith a bottom wall it), and an upwardly and outwardly tapering side wall12 extending therefrom to provide a container of generallyfrusto-conical shape. It will be observed that the side wall 12 isoffset from the vertical axis of the container by an angle ofapproximately 20. The side wall 12 terminates at its upper margin in anopen top, a radially projecting lip portion 14 being formed integralwith the side wall in this vicinity. Lip portion 14 can have variousshapes and configurations such as discussed in my copending application.It is to be noted that cup C1 is provided with first and second axiallyspaced gripping areas designated 16, 26 respectively for positiveretention within hollow supporting holders of varying configuration aswill subsequently appear.

The disposable insert cup shown in FIGS. 2-3 of the drawings andidentified C1 is substantially similar to disposable insert cup C1 asindicated by the application of identical reference numerals with thesuflix a employed to designate like parts. Cup C2 is also provided withaxially spaced first and second gripping areas 16a, 26a respectively;however, in this instance, the first gripping area 16a is axially spacedupwards from the bottom wall 10a of the cup so as to provide afrusto-conical section at the lower margin of the side wall 1211. Thisfrusto-conical section 11 provides an additional gripping area for oneof the supporting holders as will become apparent.

An inspection of FIGS. 7-11 will reveal that the disposable insert cupC1 is capable of being mounted within and retained by gripping elementsassociated with the supporting holders designated H1-H4 whereas the cupC2, in addition to being mounted within such holders, is also capable ofbeing received and retained within a supporting holder designated H5 inFIG. 11. This is due to the additional frusto-conical section 11adjacent the bottom wall of cup C2.

Holders H1-H5 are illustrations of various types of supporting holderswhich are commercially available. The holders are generally similar inappearance, but have various gripping elements associated therewith atditierent axial heights in the holders as dictated by the manufacturerof the same. To facilitate an understanding of the various holderconfigurations, a discussion will first be given relative to holder H1,and will be followed by a comparison of holders H2H5 therewith.

Holder H1 has a base 40, and a hollow container support 42. The innerperipheral wall 44 of the container support 42 has a tapered mouth area46 which is generally all) complementary to the side wall taper of thecontainers C1, C2. Projecting radially inwardly from this innerperipheral wall of the container support is a gripping element 5%, whichis in the form of an integral projection. As best seen in FIG. 7, thisprojection is adapted to cooperate with the second gripping areadesignated Z in cup C1.

Holders H2H5 as seen in FIGS. 8-l1 respectively, are substantiallysimilar to the H1 holder as indicated by the application of identicalreference numerals with the sutlix l, m, n, and p employed to designatelike parts on holders H2, H3, H4- and H5. The holder H2, instead ofhaving a relatively rigid abutment formed on the internal peripheralwall of the container support, is provided with an opening 48 in theinternal peripheral wall 441 of the container support 42! for receivingthe annular resilient grommet 52. Grommet 52 is at a lower level thanthe integral projection 5-0 in holder H1, and thus a portion of thefirst gripping area 16 has been provided for cooperation therewith toaxially restrain the container within this holder.

Holders H3, H4, shown in FIGS. 9, 10 of the drawings are provided withan integral finger and ring gripping element designated 54, 5-5respectively which is similar to the integral projection 50 in the H1holder construction, but it should be noted that each of these grippingelements are formed at a different axial height with respect to eachother and to the integral projection 50. This has necessitated theprovision of additional engaging portions in the first gripping area It:for accommodating and retaining container C1 within each of the holders.

Holders iii-H4 have substantially the same axial height, but the holderH5 shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings has a slightly greater axial height.Holder H5 is also provided with an annular resilient grommet 58 which isreceived within an opening 48p formed in the internal peripheral wall44p of the holder in a similar manner as the H2 holder. The grommet isdesigned to engage the frusto-conical section 11 projecting upwardlyfrom the bottom wall in the C2 cup.

Where a comically-shaped paper cup of conventional character is used,each of the holders designated Hl-HS will engage different axiallocations of the cup, but because of the inherent weakness of paper,there is no as surance that the cup will be positively restrainedagainst tilting or accidental dislodgment when the cup is filled with abeverage or the like. In contrast to this, the disposable insert cup ofthe present invention in either of its two basic forms, will conformitself to a plurality of hollow supporting holders, and at the sametime, positively engage the gripping elements of the holders.

The gripping or engaging portions on cups C1 and C2 have been previouslydiscussed in general terms as first and second gripping areas 16, 26.Referring now more particularly to the construction of each of thesegripping areas, it will be noted that the first gripping area 16 in cupC1, as best seen in FIG. 4, is provided with a plurality of engagingportions in the form of reinforcing ribs 18 which are adapted tocooperate with variously positioned gripping elements of the abovediscussed holders. The engaging portions decrease in diameter from theopen mouth to the bottom wall as will be apparent. The bottom threeengaging portions in each cup are offset from the side wall of thecontainer by an angle of 23, and since the side wall is offset 20 fromthe vertical axis of the container, each of such engaging portions havea reverse taper of approximately 3 relative to the vertical axis of thecontainer. The uppermost engaging portion in the first gripping area 16tapers in the same maner as the side wall 12, but is offset only 15 fromthe vertical axis of the container to render underlying support to theside wall. The bottom three engaging portions 18 of the first grippingarea each have an externally projecting shoulder 20 at its lowerextremity, and an inwardly directed shoulder 22 at its upper extremityhaving a minimum diameter smaller than the maximum diameter of theexternally projecting shoulder to facilitate stacking of containers onewithin the other and prevent wedging between adjacent containers bylimiting the amount of axial telescopic movement.

While three reversely tapered engaging portions 18 and preferablyprovided adjacent the bottom wall of the container C1, it is obviousthat this number may be reduced or increased as desired. It will also beapparent that only one of the reversely tapered engaging portions 18need be used .for stacking, but in such a case, it would be necessarythat this particular engaging portion have an axial height greater thanthat of the other engaging portions, as well as that of thecircumferentially extending spaced protuberances or nubs 28 which areformed in the second gripping area 26 of the container.

The stacking of the container C2 is accomplished in the same manner asthe container C1 by the formation of shoulders on the upper and lowerextremity of each of the bottom three engaging portions as will beapparent by the application of the sufiix a to designate like parts inFIG. 5 of the drawings.

While the stacking feature incorporated in each of cups C1, C2 willprevent wedging between adjacent containers by limiting the amount oftelescopic association therebetween, as well as spacing the side Wallsof adjacent containers a predetermined distance from each other, thereis a possibility that air trapped in the vicinity of the gripping areasof each of the containers will prevent withdrawal of single cups from astack of containers. This is primarily due to the fact that a partialvacuum is formed in this area when cups are stacked in nestedrelationship to each other, even though they are prevented from wedgingtogether. To obviate this difiiculty, channel means are formed in boththe first and second gripping areas of the containers to assure theintroduction of air therebetween, and thus enhance the separation ofindividual containers from a container stack. In the first gripping area16, these channel means take the form of circumferentially spacedgrooves 24 which are radially outwardly offset from the inner wall ofthe bottom three engaging portions 18. Preferably, there are three setsof such grooves spaced 120 apart around the circumferential periphery ofthe container. When the containers are nested together, these grooveswill permit air to be introduced throughout substantially the entireextent of the side wall to enhance container separation. The juncture 25between the uppermost engaging portion 18 and the side wall 12 in eachcontainer will not interfere with the similarly located engaging portionon a nested container even though this uppermost engaging portion tapersgenerally in the same direction as the side wall and is offset only 15from the vertical axis of the container as compared with the anglebetween the side wall and the container vertical axis.

It is important to note that the channel means formed in the C1container does not reduce to any great extent the gripping area of theengaging portions 18 since the circumferentially spaced grooves 2 areformed in the internal peripheral wall of the container, and interruptonly a small portion of each engaging portion at circumferentialdiscrete locations. Specifically, it is to be noted that each groove 24preferably has a width and height which is approximately one half theaxial height of an engaging portion 18, and a depth at any one pointless than the inwardly directed shoulder 22 of an engaging portion.While the second gripping area 26 could be formed with an engagingportion or portions similar to the first gripping area 16 construction,it has been found desirable to form an annular series ofcircumferentially spaced nibs or protuberances 28 which are radiallyoutwardly deflected from the plane of the side wall so as to maintainthe predetermined distance between the side walls of nested containers,and also afford passages between adjacent protuberances for theintroduction of air therebetween. These protuberances are preferablyhemispherical in configuration to provide a maximum cushion effectbetween adjacent containers, while also affording an effective engagingarea with the gripping element of the H1 holder as best seen in FIG. 7.

Various types of engaging portion configurations are available for thedisposable insert cup of the present invention, some examples of whichare shown in FIGS. 12-16 of the drawings. In each of these views, itwill be observed that there is no axially spaced first and secondgripping area; however, it is to be understood that this can be providedif desired. The cup C3 shown in FIG. 12 of the drawings incorporates thecircumferentially spaced protuberances which are exclusively used in thesecond gripping area of the preferred form of cup. It is to be notedthat these circumferentially spaced protuberances are arranged in rows,the protuberances in one row being nonaligned with those of an adjacentrow. In FIG. 13, the cup C4 is shown as being provided with a pluralityof gripping portions decreasing in diameter from the open mouth to thebottom wall in the same manner as the preferred form of cup, and in thiscase, a plurality of axially extending grooves are provided whichinterrupt these gripping portions at circumferentially spaced locations.Cup C5 shown in FIGS. 15-16 is provided with circumferentially extendingWavy portions which incorporate the engaging and channel features of thepresent invention. The cup C6 shown in FIG. 14 is constructed similarlyto the FIG. 12 embodiment, but instead of providing hemi-sphericalprotuberances, the protuberances have an elongated rectangular shape.

The preferred construction of the disposable insert cup of the presentiiivention is such that the bottom wall is at least two and one halftimes less than the diameter of the cup at its open mouth. Although thiswill reduce the possibility that the cup would be able to support itselfin an upright position, it will facilitate the entry within supportingholders of the above mentioned type with which the cup of the presentinvention is designed for use.

From the foregoing, it will now be appreciated that the disposableinsert cup of the present invention will facilitate the stacking as wellas the ready separation of individual containers from a stack, whilealso permitting the containers to be engaged and retained within aplurality of dissimilary configured supporting holders. The engaging andrim portions of each container also aid in laterally strengthening thesame as will be apparent. The containers will be inherently stronger andnot subject to leakage since in a preferred form they are molded in oneplece from a web of thermoplastic material as is well known in the art.

Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, itis with full awareness that many modifications thereof are possible. Theinvention, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated bythe prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A seamless nestable thin wall thermoplastic container capable ofbeing telescoped into and retained within a complementary hollowsupporting holder, said container comprising a bottom wall andperipherally continuous side walls extending upwardly and outwardly fromsaid bottom wall and terminating in an open upper end, said containergenerally defining a frusto-conical configuration wherein said sidewalls have a predetermined angular relationship with respect to the axisof the container to present a diametrical span at the open upper end atleast two and one-half times greater than the diameter of said bottomWall, said side wall being provided with an annular series ofcircumferenttially spaced, outwardly extending protuberances spacedupwardly from the juncture of said bottom and side walls and presentingcam surfaces both toward the bottom wall and open upper end of thecontainer, the cam surfaces and the resiliency of said protuberancesbeing such in relation to the circumferential spacing of theprotuberances and the shaping and resiliency of the connecting side wallthat upon telescopic association of the container with a complementaryhollow supporting holder said protuberances will be moved inwardly withsaid connecting portions of the side wall intermediate adjacentprotuberances being flexed outwardly to provide a minimum diametermeasurement enabling passage of the protuberances beyond an internalabutment surface in the complementary hollow supporting holder, saidprotuberances when returned to normal position beneath the abutmentsurface of said holder forming an underlying portion to retain saidcontainer against inadvertent telescopic disassociation relative to theholder.

2. A container of the type defined in claim 1 and including stackingmeans spaced from and having a greater axial height than theprotuberances for cooperation with the stacking means of adjacentcontainers of identical construction when telescopically nested in avertical stack of containers.

3. A container of the type set forth in claim 1 wherein the side wallsof the container intermediate said protuberances and said bottom wall isformed to provide a series of ribs for reinforcing the wall constructionof the container without interfering with telescopically associatedcontainers of identical configuration when nested together, said ribsadapted to be engaged by complementary gripping elements provided inother hollow supporting holders.

4. A container of the type set forth in claim 1 wherein said containeris provided in the vicinity of said open upper end with a laterallyextending thickened rim portion for reinforcing said open upper end tofacilitate its use for drinking purposes and handling.

5. A container of the type defined in claim 1 wherein the side walls ofthe container intermediate said protuberances and said bottom wall isformed to provide a series of reinforcing ribs, at least one of saidribs being provided with an externally projecting shoulder at its lowerextremity and inwardly directed shoulder at its upper extremity, theinwardly directed shoulder of each such rib projecting inwardly by anamount sufiicient to cause the externally projecting shoulder of asimilarly located rib on an identically configured container to restthereupon and limit the extent to telescopic association of saidcontainers.

6. A container as set forth in claim 5 wherein each reinforcing ribconfigured for stacking is provided with chan nel means assuring aircommunication between nested containers and freedom of individualcontainer separation from a container stack.

7. A container of th type set forth in claim 6 wherein said reinforcingribs are circumferentially extending stepped abutments decreasing indiameter from said open upper end to said bottom wall, and said channelmeans includes circumferentially spaced grooves radially inwardly offsetfrom the outer periphery from the container side wall and intersectingeach reinforcing rib.

8. The container as set forth in claim 6 wherein said channel meansincludes circumferentially spaced grooves formed in said container sidewall and intersecting each of said reinforcing ribs.

9. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein part of th container sidewall extends beneath said engaging portions to serve as an additionalcontainer holder embracing portion.

10. The combination of a one-piece thermoplastic container body and acomplementary hollow supporting hoider having annular rigid projectionmeans formed on the internal wall surface therof, said container bodyhaving a bottom portion and a peripherally continuous upwardly andoutwardly tapering side wall including an annular series ofcircumferentially spaced, outwardly extending protuberances provided inthe side wall for cooperation with the annular rigid projection means ofsaid complementary hollow supporting holder, said protuberances havingan increased transverse dimension relative to the internal dimension ofsaid annular rigid projection means and said protuberances andprojection means being provided with sliding contact surfaces forinitial inward flexing thereof upon engaging said projection means, thecontainer side wall intermediate said protuberances being resilient topermit said protuberances to be moved past said projection means forunderlying engagement therewith to retain said container within saidholder.

11. The combination of a one-piece thermoplastic container body with anyone of a plurality of complementary hollow supporting holders havingresilient annular container embracing means situated in the interiorthereof, said container body including a bottom wall and peripherallycontinuous outwardly diverging side walls which terminate in an openupper end, said container body being provided with first and secondaxially spaced gripping areas for engagement by the container embracingmeans of said complementary supporting holders, one of said grippingareas having at least one engaging surface radially outwardly offsetfrom the container body side wall, the minimum diameter of said engagingsurface being greater than the maximum diameter of said resilientannular container embracing means for releasably retaining saidcontainer body within one of said hollow supporting holders, the otherof said gripping areas including a series of circumferentially spaced,outwardly extending protuberances of increased transverse dimensionrelative to the internal dimension of the annular rigid projection meansof a complementary hollow supporting holder for initial inward flexingthereof and subsequent underlying engagement therewith to retain saidcontainer body within another of said hollow supporting holders.

12. The combination of a seamless thin wall thermoplastic container anda complementary hollow supporting holder having rigid projection meansformed on the internal wall surface thereof, said container having abottom wail and a peripherally continuous side wall extending upwardsand outwards from the bottom wall and terminating in an open upper end,the side wall having outwardly extending flexible protuberance means forcooperation with the rigid projection means of said complementary hollowsupporting holder, one of said means being circumferentiallydiscontinuous and the other of said means being circumferentiallycontinuous to provide unengaged resilient sections in circumferentiallyspaced relation on the container wall, the outwardly extendingprotuberance means having an increased transverse dimension relative tothe maximum internal dimension of said rigid projection means and saidcontainer protuberance means and holder projection means having upperand lower cam faces to cause camming engagement of said containerprotuberance means with said holder projection means upon telescopicassociation and disassociation of said container and holder for flexingof said resilient sections upon movement of said protuberance means pastsaid holder projection means, said protuberance means being adapted tobe positioned in underlying engagement relative to the holder projectionmeans for retaining the container within the holder, saidcircumferentially discontinuous means and said resilient sectionsfunctioning to assure passage of said container protuberance meansrelative to the holder projection means upon telescopic association anddisassociation of said container and bolder relative to each other.

13. The combination of a one-piece thermoplastic container body and acomplementary hollow supporting holder having an internal projection inthe side wall thereof, the container being capable of being telescopedinto and retained within the holder, the container comprising a bottomwail and a peripherally continuous side wall extending upwardly andoutwardly from the bottom wall and terminating in an open upper end, theside wall having a radially outwardly extending shoulder which isconfigured and arranged relative to the internal projection of theholder to make circumferentially localized oblique contact from aboveWith the internal projection to displace the outwardly extendingshoulder inwardly relative to the remainder of the container enablingmovement of the shoulder past the internal projection by a cammingaction, the shoulder then returning to its normal position beneath theinternal projection to make circumferentially localized oblique contactwith the internal projection from below so as to retain the containeragainst inadvertent telescopic 'disassociation relative to the holder,but enabling return passage of the shoulder past the internal projection'by a camming action.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Davis 220-97 X Hogan 229-15 Swift220-97 X Edwards 220-97 Wanderer 220-97 Miller 229-15 Maier 229-15Holzwarth et al. 248-1453 Edwards 229-15 X Wanderer 229-15 Davis248-1453 X Shapiro et a1 220-97 DAVIS T. MOORHEAD, Primary Examiner.

